The different types of sliding glass door
In recent years, large glass doors have been on the rise. With the RT2012, new houses are now required to have at least one sixth of their surface area in glass. In addition, large glass doors provide increased comfort and a new relationship with the home when renovating or extending older houses. Integrated into the masonry of the house as well as into a veranda, the sliding windows offer comfort and light all year round.
Several criteria must be taken into account when choosing the large glass door system and its design: the type of closure, the materials to be used, the practical and aesthetic aspects, and safety issues.
Which opening to choose for a large sliding glass doors?
The opening of a large sliding glass doors is essential. It defines the degree of interface between the house and the outside. It makes it easier to move around, but also optimises the ventilation possibilities of the house or veranda. In order to comply with the Thermal Regulation RT2012, at least 30% of the sliding glass doors must be openable.
The lift & slide doors
The term sliding door designates glazed surfaces that open laterally on rails fixed to the floor and ceiling. Usually, some panels are only movable, and slide by being superimposed over the fixed glazed surfaces.
The lift & slide doors use a mechanical system that slightly lifts the movable element to allow it to move sideways. Reliable and secure, this closing system is combined with flat insulating door sills, which allow maximum accessibility. It thus offers an optimal sealing, and therefore an excellent insulation. Even better, this system makes it possible to slide very massive sliding doors with great ease. This allows the creation of large glazed surface, including corner openings, with complex glazing if necessary.
The tilt & slide doors
The tilt & slide doors use a simpler mechanism, the lateral movement being made in a single movement. Lighter, these sliding doors offer a little more luminosity and easy handling. Available in a wide variety of applications, they are suitable for many projects. In addition, they integrate multiple safety features.
Large sliding pocket doors
Large sliding pocket doors, such as those made from the Galaxie® 32TH Galandage sliding door, accommodate sliding glass elements that are hidden in the walls when they are open. They become invisible and offer a complete opening. Large sliding pocket doors can be equipped with either lift/tilt systems.
The swinging glass doors
As an alternative or complement to sliding doors, the door-window is sometimes better suited to some smaller glass surfaces. But it is not strictly speaking a sliding door.
Aluminium: the perfect material for the structure of glass doors
Aluminium is the leading material for sliding glass doors. Thin, light, robust, malleable and a very good insulator, it is perfect to the creation of windows of all sizes, even on full facades. It adapts to all the closure systems, including lift & slide doors that are equipped with a flat door sill, very secure and unparalleled comfort for the movement in the house. This maximum compatibility allows it to offer excellent performance, both in terms of luminosity and insulation.
Above all, it offers an unprecedented degree of customisation, in terms of colours, textures and accessories. For maximum safety, it easily integrates the best safety features especially with regard to children.
Finally, aluminium requires very little maintenance. Thanks to its dimensional stability, it will last for decades requiring nothing more than wiping with a sponge from time to time.
Choose glazing, essential to optimise the insulation
Different types of glazing are available depending on the sound and heat insulation requirements. Each case is unique, depending on the orientation of the sliding glass doors, the proximity of noise pollution, etc. The experience of a locally based aluminium joiner-manufacturer takes all its value.
Examples of possible glazing include:
- The double glazing, now considered as classic but still very effective.
- The advanced insulation glazing, or low-emissivity glass. Convenient for bioclimatic options, but to use smartly, otherwise the house will overheat in summer.
- The triple glazing, for increased energy savings, but which requires specific joinery. It can be equipped with integrated roller shutters between the glass layers.
Single glazing, while still possible for professional use, for example, is almost no longer used for private individuals, as it does not offer the performance required for energy-saving use all year round.